Peasant’s Revolt slated for Newport

Miranda Lorton, who goes by Kadira Zamm Zamm, and Adam Lorton, also known as Alistar, in conversation at Richard Ray Park in Jacksonville while in Renaissance attire. They're members of The Barony of Raven's Cove, which is part of the Society of Creative Anachronism.

Photo by John Althouse/The Daily News

By Rachel Huber Rachel.Huber@JDNews.com

Published: Friday, August 22, 2014 at 11:22 AM.

After six peaceful years, war is returning to Newport.

The Shire of Cathanar is hosting their third Peasant’s Revolt, where they plan to rise up and overthrow the nobles at Camp Albemarle, 156 Albemarle Drive in Newport on Aug. 23. The Shire of Cathanar is a member of the Society of Creative Anachronism, an international organization dedicated to recreating the arts and skills of pre-17th century Europe. In addition to fencing, archery, and general fighting between the classes, Saturday’s event will also offer classes on subjects like medicinal gardens, calligraphy, and wire weaving.

The revolt will be something visitors can participate in along with Shire members. Upon entering the grounds on Saturday, each visitor will be given a pouch with six beads and a token identifying them as either a peasant or noble. Visitors are instructed to give their beads to people whose costumes, food, or general attitude they enjoy. At the end of the event, the class who has received the most beads wins the revolt.

Beads have a more practical purpose as well, though. Every hour, people will be arrested for offending the crown. Amy Monroe, the deputy autocrat of the event, said arrests can happen for any little reason, such as failing to smile at the nobility. Those who have offended the crown will be detained for an hour, unless they can pay a five bead ransom. But Monroe said not to worry - the guards will ask before arresting anyone and take them to a shady spot where they can have a popsicle.

The arrests are one of a variety of games visitors can participate in. Guests are encouraged to help spread the plague while visiting the campground. Small clothespins representing the Black Death will be attached to random people without their knowledge, causing those around them to flee. To be cured, they must find the pin and place it on someone else without their knowledge. Guests are encouraged to stone anyone they see carrying the plague. Luckily, the stones located on the grounds are fake and designed to be annoying rather than painful. Visitors are also invited to use them to distract the opposing team’s fighter during the battles.

The battles will be limited to members of the SCA, but everyone is invited to watch. And for those with interest in joining in future fighting, there will be plenty of members of the Shire of Cathanar to discuss the organization, as well as vendors selling the gear they need. All of the vendors at the Peasant’s Revolt will be selling either medieval-themed or handmade items. Multiple vendors will be selling armor and period clothing for guests hoping to look more authentic. For those looking for something a bit more modern, Ryerson Unlimited will be selling hand-crafted wood art and furniture. Crystal Coast Alpacas will also be present, selling both alpaca fibers and items made out of them. Visitors can also expect to find handmade soaps, and multiple booths offering jewelry and art.

There won’t be any food vendors at the event, so be prepared to bring your own food unless you will be participating in the midday lunch or the feast in the evening. For those who do get to attend the feast, Jo Price, the event’s feastocrat, said there will be something to please everyone. All of the items for the feast are either made from medieval recipes or use ingredients that would have been available during that period. The meal will include an introductory course followed by chilled soups, entrees and desserts. Each course has vegetarian options, and Price thinks that even picky eaters should be able to find something they like. She expects that kids will enjoy the makerouns, or noodles with melted cheese, which Price calls the grandparent of traditional macaroni and cheese. Tickets to lunch are $5, and the evening feast costs $10 a spot. Seats for feast are first come, first serve, and will be given to whoever asks for them at check-in before they’re sold out.

The Shire of Cathanar is hosting their third Peasant’s Revolt, where they plan to rise up and overthrow the nobles at Camp Albemarle, 156 Albemarle Drive in Newport on Aug. 23. The Shire of Cathanar is a member of the Society of Creative Anachronism, an international organization dedicated to recreating the arts and skills of pre-17th century Europe. In addition to fencing, archery, and general fighting between the classes, Saturday’s event will also offer classes on subjects like medicinal gardens, calligraphy, and wire weaving.

The revolt will be something visitors can participate in along with Shire members. Upon entering the grounds on Saturday, each visitor will be given a pouch with six beads and a token identifying them as either a peasant or noble. Visitors are instructed to give their beads to people whose costumes, food, or general attitude they enjoy. At the end of the event, the class who has received the most beads wins the revolt.

Beads have a more practical purpose as well, though. Every hour, people will be arrested for offending the crown. Amy Monroe, the deputy autocrat of the event, said arrests can happen for any little reason, such as failing to smile at the nobility. Those who have offended the crown will be detained for an hour, unless they can pay a five bead ransom. But Monroe said not to worry - the guards will ask before arresting anyone and take them to a shady spot where they can have a popsicle.

The arrests are one of a variety of games visitors can participate in. Guests are encouraged to help spread the plague while visiting the campground. Small clothespins representing the Black Death will be attached to random people without their knowledge, causing those around them to flee. To be cured, they must find the pin and place it on someone else without their knowledge. Guests are encouraged to stone anyone they see carrying the plague. Luckily, the stones located on the grounds are fake and designed to be annoying rather than painful. Visitors are also invited to use them to distract the opposing team’s fighter during the battles.

The battles will be limited to members of the SCA, but everyone is invited to watch. And for those with interest in joining in future fighting, there will be plenty of members of the Shire of Cathanar to discuss the organization, as well as vendors selling the gear they need. All of the vendors at the Peasant’s Revolt will be selling either medieval-themed or handmade items. Multiple vendors will be selling armor and period clothing for guests hoping to look more authentic. For those looking for something a bit more modern, Ryerson Unlimited will be selling hand-crafted wood art and furniture. Crystal Coast Alpacas will also be present, selling both alpaca fibers and items made out of them. Visitors can also expect to find handmade soaps, and multiple booths offering jewelry and art.

There won’t be any food vendors at the event, so be prepared to bring your own food unless you will be participating in the midday lunch or the feast in the evening. For those who do get to attend the feast, Jo Price, the event’s feastocrat, said there will be something to please everyone. All of the items for the feast are either made from medieval recipes or use ingredients that would have been available during that period. The meal will include an introductory course followed by chilled soups, entrees and desserts. Each course has vegetarian options, and Price thinks that even picky eaters should be able to find something they like. She expects that kids will enjoy the makerouns, or noodles with melted cheese, which Price calls the grandparent of traditional macaroni and cheese. Tickets to lunch are $5, and the evening feast costs $10 a spot. Seats for feast are first come, first serve, and will be given to whoever asks for them at check-in before they’re sold out.

The meal, like many aspects of the revolt, is designed to appeal to a wide range of ages. Miranda Lorton is a member of the Barony of Raven’s Cove, a Jacksonville-based SCA group that will be attending the weekend’s revolt. She’s a life-long member of SCA groups, which she sees as being very family-oriented.

“I was literally born into the SCA - my mom went into labor with me at an event,” said Lorton, who goes by Lady Kadira Zamm-Zamm when she is with the barony. Lorton, who is currently pregnant, has no plans to bring her child into the world at the Peasant’s Revolt, but everyone in her barony agrees that groups like these create a good environment for children to grow up in.

“Everyone is a parent here, you never have to worry about your children,” said Dusty Mullins, the baron of Raven’s Cove.

For Monroe, the impact these societies have on family is the reason why this event is so important. Before joining the Shire of Cathanar, she often struggled to find things to do that would engage her two sons and bring them closer together. At the revolt, there won’t be any outlets for kids to charge their phones or laptops. Monroe said it gives families an opportunity to actually talk to each other.

“That’s why I really wanted to give this event to the community,” said Monroe. “It gives people a chance to reconnect with their families.”

The fighting for the Peasant’s Revolt begins on Aug. 23, but for individuals who will be camping at Camp Albemarle for the event, a picnic style dinner will be offered at 6 p.m. on Aug. 22 at the boathouse. A game of capture the flag will be held at this time on Bogue Sound using canoes. Campers are allowed to stay until Aug. 24, but there are no planned activities for that day.